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Modelling the effects of sowing date and plant density on the yield and timing of development of Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

P. J. C. Hamer
P. J. C. Hamer
Affiliation:
Silsoe Research Institute, Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedford MK45 4HS, UK
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Summary

The effect of sowing date and plant density are modelled in relation to three variables: Ym, the maximum yield the crop can produce; τ, the interval from sowing to Yb/Ym = 0·5 where Yb is the yield of Brussels sprout buttons and Nb, the number of buttons on a plant stem. Ym is well related to the quantity of solar energy which the crop intercepts during the main period of growth. The fraction of radiation intercepted by the crop canopy is related to leaf area index (L) and sub-models relate L to sowing date and plant density. An empirically derived parameter relates the value of τ to thermal time and photoperiod time. The time course of Nb is modelled relative to the number of buttons at the end of the growing season. To overcome influence of site, variety and season, a generalized equation relates Nb, to plant density and a ‘known’ number of buttons at a specified planting density. The yield of buttons in specific size ranges (required for marketing) is described by a normal distribution with the standard deviation (σ) representing the spread of button diameter. There were no obvious effects of sowing date and plant density on σ. The model enables the effects of sowing date and plant density to be simulated using only simple and easily understood parameters. A sample simulation is presented.

Type
Crops and Soils
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 124 , Issue 2 , April 1995 , pp. 253 - 263
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

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